Israel Imposes West Bank Lockdown Amid Calls for War on Terror

Amid heightened tensions and warnings from Israeli security officials about potential escalation in the West Bank, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for a large-scale military operation against terrorism in the area. Smotrich criticized security establishment warnings of an explosion in the West Bank, stating that the military should present solutions rather than just issuing alerts. "When they came to the cabinet and said this, I said, 'So what do you want? Tell us what to do. You are the army.' Let the Chief of Staff say what he proposes. I don't understand these meaningless warnings. It's a bit like covering your backside," he said in an interview.

Smotrich advocated for a military campaign akin to the one in Gaza, aiming to dismantle the Palestinian Authority, which he labeled a "terror authority." He proposed destroying terror infrastructure, eliminating militants, and confiscating weapons. "I want to kill all the terrorists and collect all the weapons. This means I'm not playing games," he stated, referencing past operations where civilian populations were relocated for their protection.

He further elaborated that the IDF should be given a clear directive to eliminate terror infrastructure, militants, and weapons in the West Bank, similar to the operation against Hamas in Gaza. Smotrich also suggested that if vehicles are used as weapons, as seen in a recent incident where a Palestinian rammed pedestrians, Palestinians should be barred from driving on Israeli roads.

Concurrently with Smotrich's strong statements, Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered a general closure of the West Bank during the Sukkot holiday and intermediate days, following a recommendation from the IDF. During the closure, Palestinian workers will be prohibited from entering Israeli settlements, with exceptions for essential workers in industrial zones under security supervision. Exceptional permits will be granted in accordance with the state's High Court of Justice commitments.